This collaboration will establish a local value chain, transforming vegetable oils from these crops into SAF to decarbonize air transport.
In a significant move towards decarbonizing air travel, energy giant TotalEnergies and French agro-industrial leader Avril have joined forces to explore and develop a robust French intercropping sector specifically for the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). This pioneering agreement underscores a shared commitment to meet the European Union's ambitious mandates for SAF incorporation, starting at 2% by 2025 and escalating to a formidable 70% by 2050.
The collaboration focuses on leveraging "intermediate crops" – plants sown between two main harvests on the same plot of land. This innovative approach offers a dual advantage: it avoids competition with food and animal feed production, thereby addressing concerns about land use, and simultaneously provides additional income for farmers. Crucially, these intermediate crops are fully compliant with European regulations for SAF production.
Beyond their role in sustainable fuel, these crops also yield valuable plant proteins, directly contributing to France and Europe's protein sovereignty for animal feed. Furthermore, the agronomic benefits of intercropping are substantial, including reduced soil erosion, improved soil structure, decreased water loss, and enhanced biodiversity – all vital aspects of sustainable agriculture.
Under the terms of the agreement, TotalEnergies and Avril will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the entire value chain. This will span from the meticulous selection of optimal plant varieties to the final production of biofuels. Avril, with its deep expertise in the French vegetable oils and proteins sector, will be responsible for supplying the vegetable oils derived from these intermediate crops to TotalEnergies. TotalEnergies, in turn, will process these oils into sustainable aviation fuels at its French biorefineries, such as La Mède and Grandpuits, and through co-processing at its French and European refineries. The Grandpuits biorefinery, for instance, is set to have an annual SAF production capacity of 230,000 tons by 2026.
This collaboration signifies a proactive and integrated approach to tackling aviation's environmental footprint. By fostering a domestic supply chain for SAF derived from non-food competing crops, France aims to solidify its position in the green energy transition and set a precedent for sustainable agricultural practices within the European Union's ambitious climate goals. The partnership is expected to drive innovation in agricultural techniques and biofuel production, contributing significantly to a greener future for air transport.
